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Getty Fire: Southern California gets red-flag warning | Getty Fire: Southern California gets red-flag warning |
(32 minutes later) | |
A fire in southern California has prompted a rare "extreme red-flag warning". | A fire in southern California has prompted a rare "extreme red-flag warning". |
Issued by the Los Angeles weather service, the alert covers Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. | Issued by the Los Angeles weather service, the alert covers Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. |
Winds are already nearing 70mph (113km/h) and there is concern they will fan the Getty fire, which has already burned through 745 acres. | |
A number of wildfires have erupted in California over the past week leading to mass evacuations and power cuts. | A number of wildfires have erupted in California over the past week leading to mass evacuations and power cuts. |
Some 1,100 firefighters are tackling the Getty fire and thousands of structures are at risk, authorities say. | Some 1,100 firefighters are tackling the Getty fire and thousands of structures are at risk, authorities say. |
At least 12 homes have been destroyed so far and five others damaged in the Getty Fire - named for the art collection close by. About 27% of the fire has been contained. | |
Winds are expected pick up early on Wednesday and continue into Thursday, with forecasters warning that they could hit their highest speeds of the season. | Winds are expected pick up early on Wednesday and continue into Thursday, with forecasters warning that they could hit their highest speeds of the season. |
"This Santa Ana wind event will likely be the strongest we have seen so far this season," the weather service said. | "This Santa Ana wind event will likely be the strongest we have seen so far this season," the weather service said. |
"These strong winds... will likely bring very critical fire weather conditions, making this an extreme red-flag warning event." | |
On Tuesday fire chief Ralph M Terrazas said he was very concerned by the threats the winds posed. | On Tuesday fire chief Ralph M Terrazas said he was very concerned by the threats the winds posed. |
"It does take one ember, just one ember downwind, to start another brush fire," he told reporters - adding that embers have been known to travel several miles in winds. | "It does take one ember, just one ember downwind, to start another brush fire," he told reporters - adding that embers have been known to travel several miles in winds. |
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the 7,000-plus residents evacuated so far should not plan on returning home until conditions were safe. | Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the 7,000-plus residents evacuated so far should not plan on returning home until conditions were safe. |
Basketball star LeBron James and actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger are among those who have evacuated their homes. | Basketball star LeBron James and actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger are among those who have evacuated their homes. |
On Tuesday, James sent a taco truck to feed a number of firefighters tackling the Getty Fire. | On Tuesday, James sent a taco truck to feed a number of firefighters tackling the Getty Fire. |
The Getty Center, which houses a large art collection, is also at risk. | The Getty Center, which houses a large art collection, is also at risk. |
The museum said in a tweet that the art was "protected by a state-of-the-art technology" and that the safest place for it was inside. | The museum said in a tweet that the art was "protected by a state-of-the-art technology" and that the safest place for it was inside. |
Authorities say the Getty Fire was probably caused by a tree branch falling on power lines in the high winds. | Authorities say the Getty Fire was probably caused by a tree branch falling on power lines in the high winds. |
What about the other fires? | What about the other fires? |
The Kincade Fire in northern California has burned through more than 75,000 acres. | The Kincade Fire in northern California has burned through more than 75,000 acres. |
Thousands of people have been left without power as companies shut off electricity to prevent a further outbreak of fires. | Thousands of people have been left without power as companies shut off electricity to prevent a further outbreak of fires. |
Currently, only about 30% of the fire is contained. Over 80,000 homes are still threatened by the blaze. | Currently, only about 30% of the fire is contained. Over 80,000 homes are still threatened by the blaze. |
A new fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the Simi Valley area of Ventura County. | A new fire broke out on Wednesday morning in the Simi Valley area of Ventura County. |
Dubbed the Easy Fire, it has burned through 400 acres thus far and is now encroaching on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. | Dubbed the Easy Fire, it has burned through 400 acres thus far and is now encroaching on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. |
Are you in the area? If it is safe for you to do so please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? If it is safe for you to do so please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |